Malik Monk Says He Is “One Thousand Percent” Unclear About Reduced Role
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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk said he is “one thousand percent” unsure why head coach Doug Christie has trimmed his minutes, even after a short appearance during Sunday night’s 109-103 victory over the Houston Rockets.
The 27-year-old entered the game midway through the third quarter, logging four minutes and 46 seconds. He converted his lone field-goal attempt but missed two free throws, finishing with two points and a minus-3 plus/minus. The cameo followed back-to-back games in which Monk did not leave the bench.
Before tip-off, Monk told The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson that the reduced role has left him baffled. He added that, while it is not his responsibility to solve the coaching staff’s rotation puzzle, he will “be ready whenever my name is called.”
Monk said he spoke privately with Christie, who indicated he was “trying something new.” The guard said he still does not fully grasp the reasoning behind the decision.
Since signing with Sacramento in July 2022, Monk has been a key offensive contributor. He placed sixth and then second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting during his first two seasons and moved into the starting lineup for most of last year. Christie returned Monk to a reserve role this season, and the numbers have dipped to 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.1 minutes per game through 24 contests, though he is shooting a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc.
Christie is juggling a crowded backcourt and drew criticism earlier this season for minimal use of defensive specialist Keon Ellis. Ellis logged 32 minutes Thursday against Portland—the first night Monk received a DNP-CD—but has been dealing with soreness in his right wrist. He played nine minutes Sunday, committing a foul on a Reed Sheppard three-point attempt just before halftime, and did not return after the break.
“You can’t play everybody,” Christie told reporters prior to the Houston game, noting that playing time is determined by performance and competitiveness.
Monk is earning $18.8 million this season, has $20.2 million guaranteed for 2026-27 and holds a $21.6 million player option for 2027-28. Asked whether the uncertainty bothers him, he said he wants to perform in front of the Sacramento crowd but understands the situation is out of his hands.
Source: Hoops Rumors
